Iscar Strauss 83 vs. BC Kyiv 90

BC Kyiv ended Ironi Nahariya's FIBA Europe League season and spoiled its Purim holiday celebrations with a come-from-behind 90-83 victory in Nahariya on Wednesday.

Kyiv now advances to the Europe League Final Four which will be held on 27 and 28 April.

Nahariya led throughout the majority of the game but it was the Ukrainian team that maintained its composure during crunch time and took control of the contest in the closing minutes.

Kyiv's size advantage proved decisive in the end as three of Nahariya's big men fouled out in the last period.

The victors were led by Marcelo Nicola, Ioannis Giannoulis and Lamarr Greer who combined for 56 points. Greer scored 7 points in the final 2 minutes including a three pointer that sealed the verdict.

Adrian Pledger paced the losers with 20.

Nahariya and Kyiv matched each other basket for basket during the opening minutes of the contest and Nahariya got a break when Nicola went to the bench with two personal fouls. The energized home team went on a 9-3 run, led by Pledger's 9 points.

Nine quick second quarter points by substitute Itai Lev gave Nahariya a double digit lead (42-29) but Kyiv rallied behind 8 points by Greer to narrow their deficit to 47-43 at halftime.

The second half was hotly contested throughout with 6 lead changes. The third quarter was nip and tuck with Pledger hitting a three to give Nahariya a 61-60 heading into the deciding 10 minutes.

After the game Nahariya coach Avi Ashkenazi tried to put things in perspective. "Obviously we are disappointed because we could have won, but it was a very successful season and one of the biggest nights in the history of Nahariya basketball."